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Advice Finder

Our community of experts across the Liverpool City Region can provide advice to help your business grow.

Adrian Botham

Servispart Consulting

Specialisms

Business Optimisation, Information Technology, Strategic Planning

Region

St Helens

Adrian is the founder & MD of Servispart Consulting, a specialist aftermarket consultancy, providing strategy, change and systems advice for OEMs, parts and equipment manufacturers, and distributors in sectors incl. Auto., Aero., Defence, Industrial, Electrical and others.

Alex Thow

Brabners LLP

Specialisms

Legal - Corporate, MBO / MBI / Acquisitions, PE / VC / Equity

Region

Liverpool

Alex is a solicitor in the corporate team at Brabners LLP.

Alex handles general corporate and banking transactional matters including mergers, acquisitions and private equity as well as debt finance investments across a variety of sectors.

He acts for a range of clients including private companies and banks as well as private equity and other finance providers. His client list also consists of a number of companies who operate in the commercial property market.

He also advises clients on a wide range of general corporate matters including corporate governance, shareholder and partnership agreements and company reorganisations.

Andrew Weathetsone

Nonconform

Specialisms

Animation / Film / Video, Marketing

Region

Liverpool

We’re Nonconform, a brand consultancy and full-service Marketing, Design and Digital agency.

For 25 years, we’ve been creating brands and campaigns that transform organisations and shape their futures.

We use a mix of insight and imagination to help our clients make positive commercial and social impacts (big and small). We work with them to define their sense of purpose and then find creative ways for the rest of the world to engage with it.

We look at our clients through the eyes of the Audiences that determine their success, and find ways of strengthening the connection between the two.

We work with clients across the UK, from our bases in Liverpool, Newcastle and Glasgow.

For more information about Nonconform, please get in touch.

Christine Gilligan

Riverside College

Specialisms

Manufacturing, Recruitment, Training & Development

Region

Halton

An Ofsted Outstanding Further Education College with a 99% Employer satisfaction rate. Riverside College is a centre of vocational excellence offering Apprenticeships, Vocational courses, Adult and Higher Education courses.

Daniel Hayhurst

Brabners LLP

Specialisms

Fundraising / Refinance, Legal - Corporate, PE / VC / Equity

Region

Liverpool

Solicitor specialising in private equity, venture capital and M&A transactions

Dave Ewing

Evolve Finance Director Services

Specialisms

Budgeting & Cashflow, Business Agility, Business Mentoring & Advice, Business Optimisation, Business Plans & Organisation Development, Financial Appraisal, Fundraising / Refinance, Import / Export, Information Technology, mbo, Non Exec Director, Strategic Planning

Region

Liverpool

Dave has spent all of his working life in the SME sector, where he has been part of, and advised on, a significant number of business angel funded businesses. He was also part of the Turnaround Team at Merseyside Special Investment Fund which assisted portfolio companies in distressed situations. He originally worked for an accountancy practice in Liverpool (Malthouse & Co.) and dealt with a general mix of clients together with all of their creative clients. Dave then changed careers and worked as a technician in most of the theatres across Liverpool, before becoming co-owner of a Theatre in Education (TIE) company. He then went on to set up another smaller scale TIE/vocal workshop company;was Financial Director of a toy and game importer and distributor and then set up his own board game manufacturing business. All of this has allowed him to gain the holistic knowledge and understanding of the SME growth journey to support other businesses.

David Waterfall

David Waterfall

Specialisms

Business Plans & Organisation Development, Procurement / Tendering, Strategic Planning

Region

Wirral

Two decades of varied experience from working nationally advising SMEs (especially those in the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector). Offering support that delivers growth in developing financially viable futures.

Debbie Thompson

DTB Business Solutions Limited

Specialisms

Business Plans & Organisation Development, Fundraising / Refinance, Strategic Planning

Region

Liverpool

I provide practical, hands on advice and support to owner managed businesses throughout the North West.

An experienced Commercial Director and Interim Manager, I work with the management team to define goals and organise business priorities, providing a fresh approach that targets a step change in performance and improved bottom line.

A growth specialist rather than sector specialist, I can help you take your business from good to great. Building on the vision and commercialising ideas, I can bolster the leadership with a structured approach that builds momentum and accelerates growth, increasing one recent client’s net profit by 22%.

In the currently changing environment, businesses are facing new challenges with a need to reassess:

• Financial position

• HR

• Customer base

• Supplier relationships

• New business model?

Is that expertise to hand?

I can offer that fresh pair of eyes without the overhead of employment, interim management or consultancy on a part time basis, tailored to suit all budgets.

Della Thomas

Della Thomas Consultancy

Specialisms

Business Mentoring & Advice, Human Resources, Recruitment, Training & Development

Region

Liverpool

Della Thomas Consultancy – Established September 2015

(UKPRN: 10067663)

‘With an extensive network in and around the Liverpool City Region, I have the ability to spot new opportunities and join up dots in order to add value through vested interest’.

For Businesses:

• Stakeholder Engagement and Management

• Project Management and Coordination

• Leadership and Management

• Organizational Skills Analyses

• Talent and Skills advice – Strategy development plus associated tactics

• Business support and advice

• Business Coach

For Individuals:

• Coaching and Mentoring

• Peer Advice

Dominc Healey

Ogee Designs

Specialisms

Marketing, PR & Branding

Region

Knowsley

Graphic designer with 30 years of experience overseeing projects from inspiration to production. Providing inventive design solutions that help shape stories, leading to game-changing results. Branding • Publishing • Websites • Advertising • Corporate Literature

Duncan Hurlstone

D Hurlstone Ltd

Specialisms

Manufacturing, Product Development, Strategic Planning

Region

Halton

I am a Manufacturing Engineer with over 20 years industrial experience including 16 years international business development and general management for a leading German (‘Mittelstand’) manufacturer of Dry Mortar Production, transport & application technology.
Since 2010 my focus has been combining this valuable experience with some of the best tools and approaches available, in order to provide a highly collaborative form of consultancy to manufacturing businesses of all shapes and sizes. Many of the tools and techniques I deliver have been specifically developed for manufacturing SMEs by The Institute for Manufacturing (IfM – part of the University of Cambridge Engineering Dept.) and focus upon capability and strategy development as well as technology management.
This work helps to both fund and inform future manufacturing research at the IfM. Ongoing delivery programmes with which I am involved include ‘Sharing in Growth’ – for the Aerospace supply chain in the UK (and previously for the Civil Nuclear sector).

Graham Bond

Baker Tilly

Specialisms

Auditor, Corporate Finance, Corporate Tax

Region

Liverpool

Partner in a national firm of chartered accountants and business advisers, RSM, specialising in the audit of smaller quoted companies and fast growing entrepreneurial businesses. I have particular experience of assisting spin out businesses in life sciences, manufacturing and cleantech sectors.

Specialties:

• Preparing companies for IPO and disposal and enabling them to realise shareholder value.

• Provision of audit, assurance and financial reporting services to AIM listed companies.

• Champion of the RSM’s Tailored Advisory Programme with considerable experience in grooming entrepreneurial businesses to realise their full potential, whether by sale or flotation.

Strong inter-personal skills and sound commercial acumen, has a particular interest and expertise in supporting shareholders and management teams in their development and execution of successful strategies for growth.

Ian Spink

IPS Coaching Limited

Specialisms

Budgeting & Cashflow, Business Mentoring & Advice, Business Plans & Organisation Development, Strategic Planning, Training & Development

Region

Wirral

I’m a fully qualified professional Business Coach and passionate about helping you get your business working for you.

With 40 years experience in business, banking and charity work, I have worked with many business owners and managers, helping them achieve their business goals – all on their own terms.

By working on the issues which might have been playing on your mind for weeks, months and even years, working together we will set achievable goals and action plans, so that your business can reach its full potential.

I hold qualifications in Performance Coaching from The Coaching Academy and have completed their courses in Financial Coaching, , Mindfulness and Neuroscience. I’m also a Master Practitioner in Neuro Linguistic Programming and have a degree in Marketing.

Core Services include:

★ Expert business coaching

★ Performance coaching SME business owners

★ DISC personality profiling

Outside of work, I love playing and watching cricket, generally enjoy sports and keeping fit.

I am always looking to connect with business owners who would feel the benefit of coaching to unlock their true potential.

Please feel free to get in touch and book and informal 30 minute consultation at no charge.

Email: ian@ipscoaching.co.uk

Ian Taylor

RSM

Specialisms

Property

Region

Liverpool

I’m a specialist in providing audit, assurance and financial reporting services with particular expertise advising organisations in the real estate sector. I’m the head of RSM Real Estate and Construction in the North West.

I have extensive experience working for Land Securities Group PLC, a FTSE 100 listed Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) and DEXUS Property Group, one of Australia’s leading real estate groups with exposure to commercial, industrial and retail assets along with capital management.

In addition, I am responsible for a portfolio clients that range from owner-managed SMEs to global businesses.

James Parsons

Profile Consulting

Specialisms

Health & Safety, ISO

Region

Liverpool

Profile Consulting provides management consultancy services to its clients based on:

• Quality – ISO 9001: 2015
• Environmental – ISO 14001: 2015
• Information Security Management Systems – ISO 27001: 2013
• Business Continuity Management – ISO 22301: 2019
• PAS 43: 2018 for Vehicle Rescue and Recovery
• Health and Safety – ISO 45001: 2018
• CHAS, Achilles and Safecontractor Health & Safety accredited schemes.
• Internal Audits and Risk Assessments for the above systems.

Jayne Smith

Riverside College

Specialisms

Business Plans & Organisation Development, Recruitment, Training & Development

Region

Halton

Head of Employer Engagement at Ofsted Outstanding College. Provide training solutions bespoke to your business needs and tapping into talent pipeline at Riverside College.

Jennifer Gallagher

Brabners

Specialisms

Legal - Corporate, MBO / MBI / Acquisitions

Region

Liverpool

Jennifer is a Legal Director in the Corporate department specialising in all aspects of corporate work including domestic and international M & A, investments, shareholders agreements and joint ventures. She acts for clients ranging from owner-managed businesses and management teams to SMEs and larger multinational companies.

John Shaw

Shaw Integrated Management Systems

Specialisms

Auditor, Business Plans & Organisation Development, ISO

Region

St Helens

Over 30 years experience of implementing and managing management systems compliant to ISO standards. Client portfolio include:
Bank card personalisation and provisioning
Public transport
Logistics
Hygiene product manufacture and supply
Data storage and archiving
Gas monitoring equipment and service
Call centres
Professional office services
Construction materials suply
Machine Installation
Facilities Management
Delivering a professional, common sense yet, robust, service to our clients.

Karen Green

Klarity 4.0 HR

Specialisms

Business Optimisation, Business Plans & Organisation Development, Human Resources, Manufacturing, Strategic Planning, Training & Development

Region

Halton

Engaging Digital Adoption for growth in performance, productivity and profitability

I am your trusted partner to guide you through Digital Transformation and most importantly bring your people with you. I have worked for over 20 years in HR and Change Management roles for North West Businesses. I bring experience of implementing and working within lean environments, new technologies and business wide system changes along with a deep understanding of achieving successful behavioural change.

I have practical experience of developing leaders, understanding the challenges of this role through to facilitating change with Senior Leadership Teams and Programme Managing major organisational change projects.

I have successfully delivered change programmes in SMEs and global businesses in manufacturing, aerospace, nuclear and engineering sectors for organisations such as Airbus, JCB, Rolls Royce and Enrichment Technology. I can help achieve engaging adoption of digital technology as your catalyst for increased and sustained productivity and business growth.

“Karen is an exceptional professional consultant and excellent facilitator who will add value to any business looking to improve business processes, employee engagement and development. Karen has an incredible depth and breadth of knowledge, using tried and trusted learning and development methods, as well as introducing new creative ideas to improve business processes and the development of people at all levels”. Continuous Improvement Manager, Survitec

“Karen is highly qualified and hugely experienced across all Human Resource area’s and has made a significant, sustained impact on our business”. Technical Director, Survitec.

Ken Smith

Greenleaf Business Development Ltd

Specialisms

Business Mentoring & Advice, Business Plans & Organisation Development, Family Businesses

Region

Liverpool

With a background as MD of several companies, now bring experience of working with SMEs over 15 years to help focus and develop businesses in a wide range of sectors

Laura Stuffins

BDO LLP

Specialisms

Budgeting & Cashflow, Business Optimisation, Fundraising / Refinance

Region

Liverpool

I am a Director at BDO LLPin Liverpool advising ambitious growing businesses in the city region to achieve success. I provide accounting, compliance and outsourcing support to let busy business owners focus on running their day to day operations. I also work with a variety of clients on areas such as strategic planning and KPIs, forecasting, cash flow management and funding requirements to support them in achieving their longer term goals.

Malcolm Seaton

Hawkstone Consulting Ltd

Specialisms

Auditor, Health & Safety, ISO

Region

Liverpool

Malcolm is a management consultant with 9 years engineering and 29 years’ consultancy and audit experience. Malcolm has an honours degree in mechanical engineering.

Malcolm is a practising, registered lead auditor for ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 with the International Register of Certificated Auditors (IRCA registration number 01180024). Malcolm is also a lead auditor for ISO 27001 information security, EN 1090 structural steelwork and ISO 45001 Occupational Health and Safety. Malcolm has been satisfactorily witnessed by UKAS carrying out eight lead audits across a range of industry sectors and Standards. Previously, Malcolm has previously been a registered Investors in People specialist.

As well as carrying out third party audits, Malcolm has assisted organisations to implement and maintain their own ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, OHSAS 18001, ISO 20000, ISO 28001, ISO 13485, EN 1090 and ISO 27001 management systems. Malcolm has previously qualified through the “Audit Commission” to conduct “Best Value” and “CPA” inspections of local government in England and Wales. Malcolm has also been a “Charter Mark”, “Customer First” and “Carbon Action” assessor as well as a “Specialist Quality Mark” auditor for legal aid franchised solicitors’ firms.

Mark Rathbone

Brabners LLP and LCR Angel Network

Specialisms

Legal - Corporate, MBO / MBI / Acquisitions, PE / VC / Equity

Region

Liverpool

I head up Brabners’ corporate department, where, together with my team, I advise on corporate transactions from start-up and early stage, through scale-up and growth (including by acquisition), through all funding requirements to succession and exit. I work for small, medium and large corporates and businesses. I also founded and help run the LCR Angel Network.

Matthew Brown

Adding Value Consultancy Ltd

Specialisms

Budgeting & Cashflow, Business Agility, Business Mentoring & Advice, Business Optimisation, Business Plans & Organisation Development, Corporate Tax, Financial Appraisal, Non Exec Director, Risk Management, Strategic Planning, Turnaround / Restructuring, VAT & Duties

Region

Wirral

We support values-led businesses with a social or environmental mission by providing excellent financial management consultancy and accountancy services. Through our finance shared service centre, accountancy practice, management consultancy, training and mentoring, we help the social economy to thrive.

Michelle Smith

Mpower People CIC

Specialisms

Business Mentoring & Advice, Events / Networking, Training & Development

Region

Liverpool

High quality, friendly and bespoke training tailored to your business needs and individual goals.

Nicola Lomas

Brabners LLP

Specialisms

Legal - Corporate

Region

Liverpool

I am a corporate lawyer within the healthcare team at Brabners, I specialise in the sale and acquisition or business structure of healthcare businesses, with a particular focus on dental practices, pharmacies and opticians

Peter Alcock

Wilson Henry LLP

Specialisms

Auditor, Budgeting & Cashflow, Business Mentoring & Advice, Business Plans & Organisation Development, Corporate Finance, Family Businesses, Financial Appraisal, Fundraising / Refinance, Manufacturing, Marketing, MBO / MBI / Acquisitions, Non Exec Director, Personal Tax, PR & Branding, R&D Tax Credits, Strategic Planning, Turnaround / Restructuring

Region

Liverpool

Chartered Accountant and Corporate Finance Adviser with 30+ years experience helping owner managed businesses develop, grow and pass on. Key specialisms include business valuations, finance raising, merger and acquisitions – buy and sell side advisor

Peter Lavery

Brabners LLP

Specialisms

Legal - Corporate

Region

Liverpool

Working within the Healthcare Team of our Corporate Department, focusing on the sale and purchase of dental practices and pharmacies.

Peter Stoney

Liverpool University

Specialisms

Business Optimisation, Business Plans & Organisation Development, Strategic Planning

Region

Sefton

Senior Research Associate, Liverpool Research Group in Macroeconomics
Associate, Liverpool University

Richard Burnett

HM Legal Services Limited

Specialisms

Business Mentoring & Advice, Legal - Corporate, Legal - Personal

Region

Liverpool

A Partner at Hillyer McKeown, we use our commercial experience, knowledge and contacts to help businesses expand and succeed. We do this by disrupting the legal sector with easy to access legal advice and packaged commercial services offering clear benefits and outstanding value for money, all within a fixed cost environment.

Richard Fielding

Promoveo Systems Ltd

Specialisms

Auditor, ISO

Region

Wirral

Previously of Mitre SME Development Centre, Promoveo Systems Ltd has continued to provide effective and simple systems and support to companies requiring ISO systems. New installs, updates, auditing and ongoing maintenance are support services Promoveo provides focusing on the core standards of ISO9001, 14001, 45001 and 27001.

Rob Aitken

RSM UK

Specialisms

Business Plans & Organisation Development, Family Businesses, Trusts

Region

Liverpool

Chartered Accountant with over 30 years experience working in Liverpool. Main areas are supporting and advising entrepreneurial businesses and charities and providing complex financial accounting services.

Ryan Melvin

Brabners LLP

Specialisms

Legal - Corporate

Region

Liverpool

I have a little girl and twin boys (who like to keep me active).

Interests include keeping fit (including thai boxing, boxing and any other physical sport that I can take part in), being outdoors with my kids and playing the outrageous games that they manage to invent, the occasional game of golf going to see a good movie with my fiancé.

I enjoy almost all movies but I must admit that I am a bit of an easy scare when it comes to horror movies. I also don’t have a favourite music but enjoy most music as long as it is a catchy tune.

I qualified as a solicitor in 2017 and joined Brabners in 2019. I work within the corporate department in our Liverpool office and my specialisms are corporate transactions with a particular focus on industries within the healthcare sector (including pharmacy and dental)

Sheena Carroll

Sheena Carroll HR Solutions Limited

Specialisms

Business Plans & Organisation Development, Employment Advice, Human Resources

Region

Liverpool

HR Consultant and Business Coach with over 25 years experience. In recent years working with SME’s supporting growth through appropriate organisation design and HR compliance

Simon Bernstein

Empathy

Specialisms

Business Agility, Business Mentoring & Advice, Training & Development

Region

Liverpool

We can support your business growth through supporting the development of your people. Our specialist areas are leadership, management, personal efficiency and customer service excellence. Our bespoke approach will ensure your staff are equipped with the skills and confidence to meet the challenges and opportunities which you are are facing now. Get in toch for a free no obligation consultation.

Simon Jones

Ariadne Associates

Specialisms

Employment Advice, Human Resources

Region

Liverpool

I’m Simon and I’ve provided advice and support to small businesses in the Liverpool City Region and beyond for over 20 years. Whether it is a question about employment law, support with recruitment or training, or helping to manage a ‘difficult’ staff matter, I can provide you with clear and business-focused solutions. I’ve worked with over 100 different companies in sectors as diverse as manufacturing, air freight, professional services and TV production. As well as having written a successful book on HR and employment aimed a small businesses, I also lecture on HR topics at MBA level. You can find out more information at my website: www.ariadne-associates.co.uk

Steve Tancock

SteveTancock.co.uk

Specialisms

Budgeting & Cashflow, Business Plans & Organisation Development, Turnaround / Restructuring

Region

Liverpool

Chartered Accountant (Fellow of ICAEW), Member of Institute for turnaround with previous experience in both banking and insolvency

Thomas Curnow

Brabners LLP

Specialisms

Legal - Corporate, MBO / MBI / Acquisitions, PE / VC / Equity

Region

Liverpool

I am a newly qualified solicitor in the Corporate team at Brabners LLP.

Tim Scott

DWF LLP

Specialisms

Employment Advice, Human Resources, Training & Development

Region

Liverpool

Employment law solicitor with over 30 years’ experience of advising businesses large and small on how best to achieve their goals with the minimum of HR risk